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Introduction to Age Ratings

Publishers' Rating Labels for Manga & Graphic Novels

By , About.com Guide

Cover artwork for Angelic Layer Volume 1 by CLAMP, published by TokyoPop

Angelic Layer Volume 1

CLAMP / TokyoPop

Manga has something for everyone – but not all manga is suitable for all ages. Here’s a breakdown of the U.S. publishers’ content rating system for English language comics, plus examples of manga titles available in each category:

  • E – Everyone / A – All Ages
    Like a "G" movie rating, the "E – Everyone" or "A - All Ages" rating means that the comic is suitable for readers from age 6 and up.

  • Y – Youth, Age 10+
    Similar to a "PG" movie rating, the "Y – Youth, Age 10+" rating means that the title may contain mild violence and/or cursing.

  • T – Teens, Age 13+
    The manga rating equivalent of a "PG-13," "T - Teen" indicates that the comic's content may include some sexual innuendo and/or violent action scenes.

  • OT - Older Teens, Age 16+
    "OT - Older Teen"-rated manga may contain more explicit sexual situations and some violent scenes, including blood and gore.

  • M – Mature, Age 18+
    Manga rated "M - Mature" is strictly for adults. You can expect to find explicit sexual situations, strong language and / or bloody battles and mayhem.

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